Page 98 of Ewan

And men?

I wish Joachim was different.

I wish he was the kind of man I couldn’t wait to go home to. Someone who took time from his schedule to spend time with me, trying to see me for who I was.

We quickly fell into a routine and couldn’t find the time to nourish our connection.

We weren’t meant to be, and that was fine by me.

I learned quickly that real men were hard to find, and he was only an empty shell.

Quietly, I move through the park, still thinking about life and longing for all the things I've longed to have.

I make it across and stop in front of a beautiful hotel when I check the time on my phone.

I should go back. Maybe the car has arrived.

It’s been a long day with numerous developments, so I should go back and forget about my walk.

But I tip my gaze up and forget about my thoughts, the lights of the luxurious hotel garnering my attention.

I stare at them blankly, still lost in my head, when a slow convoy of cars comes to a stop in front of the entrance.

Several doormen rush out to help, although there’s little need for their services.

Men climb out, and the drivers attend to them.

With my curiosity ignited, I inch closer to the sidewalk and watch the group of men.

It’s hard not to notice their shiny shoes, long coats, expensive suits, and athletic figures carefully concealed beneath their posh appearances.

They look festive, and I can only think they are here for a Christmas party.

It’s odd to only see men, but what do I know?

Shrugging to myself, I am about to tear my eyes away and pivot when one of the men catches my attention, and I do a double take.

His back is turned to me, and there is a car between us, but the second he flicks his eyes to the men at his side, it feels like a deja vu.

The evening Ewan dined at that expensive restaurant comes to mind.

I shake my head in denial, smiling wryly.

“What the hell?” I murmur to myself.

The only difference is that there are considerably more men in his entourage, but like then, he seems to be the focus of the gathering.

Ewan?

Really?

‘What are the odds?’ I think to myself.

And didn’t he know that I’d be only a few blocks away from him?

Of course he did.

But the man has a life and things to take care of. If this bunch of men doesn’t scream mafia, I don’t know what else does.

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